Town of Plainfield Internship Program

The Town of Plainfield is committed to fostering the next generation of professionals through a structured and engaging internship program. This program is designed to provide experiential learning opportunities across town departments, allowing interns to gain a holistic understanding of local government operations. Interns will be assigned to a liaison department and be provided opportunities to participate and in meaningful, project-based internships at three levels: high school, college, and graduate.

Program Duration & Compensation

• The program is a minimum of one semester or four months long, with extensions available upon mutual agreement. Extended internships transition to an apprenticeship-like structure, focusing on long-term departmental needs with the potential for interview preference for open roles with the Town.
• Interns will work part-time, with a maximum of 28 hours per week if not specifically tied to a summer program only (can work 40 hours a week if limited to summer internship).
• Compensation will be commensurate with education level and experience, as detailed in the respective department's internship offerings. High school internships may be unpaid or paid, while college and graduate interns will receive hourly pay in accordance with the salary ordinance.

  

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Experiential Learning Across Departments
Each internship will be rooted in one department but will include opportunities to spend time in other departments. Interns will:

• Spend one day in each town department, learning core functions and engaging with department leadership.
• Participate in a ride-along with the Police and Fire departments.
• Tour Utility Plants with a focus on understanding the rate payer system and core service delivery of water and wastewater functions.
• Volunteer in a Parks & Recreation program to understand public service delivery at the community level.
• Attend key meetings such as Town Council sessions, budget discussions, and leadership team meetings.

Education Level Program Duties

1. High School Program
   1. Focus: Introduction to local government and basic office experience and shadowing.
   2. Duration: Semester or summer (approximately four months).
   3. Key Activities: Interns will assist with entry-level tasks and gain exposure to the operations of a specific department while spending at least one day in each department town-wide. Engagement opportunities include ride-alongs with police and fire departments (if 18 years old), volunteering in Parks programs, and participation in department meetings.
   4. Objective: Provide a broad understanding of town services and an introduction to professional environments.
2. Undergraduate College Program
   1. Focus: Intermediate level exposure, focusing on department-specific projects.
   2. Duration: Semester or summer (approximately four months), with the possibility of extension up to 28 hours per week.
   3. Key Activities: Interns will take on more defined projects within their assigned department while also experiencing the operations of other departments. Interns will attend council and department meetings, engage with town leadership, and participate in departmental reviews. Projects will emphasize practical applications of the intern’s academic field (e.g., finance, communications, urban planning).
   4. Objective: Develop applied skills in their area of study while gaining comprehensive exposure to town functions.
3. Graduate Program
   1. Focus: Advanced, project-based experience with a significant contribution to town operations.
   2. Duration: Semester or summer (approximately four months), with an option for extension transitioning into an apprenticeship-like role.
   3. Key Activities: Interns will complete a capstone project addressing a specific town need, such as developing new policies, conducting research, or creating operational manuals. Graduate interns will present their findings to town leadership at the end of their term. Like the other levels, they will also spend one day in each department to understand the core functions of those departments.
   4. Objective: Equip graduate students with the opportunity to apply their advanced knowledge and skills to real-world challenges while preparing them for future roles in local government.

Capstone Projects (Graduate Level Only)
 Graduate interns will complete a capstone project during their internship. Projects will address real town needs, such as:

• Policy development or analysis
• Research on town operations or trends
• Creating or updating department manuals or standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Strategic planning or program evaluation

Interns will present their projects to town leadership at the conclusion of their internship.

Program Duration & Compensation

• The program is a minimum of one semester or four months long, with extensions available upon mutual agreement. Extended internships transition to an apprenticeship-like structure, focusing on long-term departmental needs with the potential for interview preference for open roles with the Town.
• Interns will work part-time, with a maximum of 28 hours per week if not specifically tied to a summer program only (can work 40 hours a week if limited to summer internship).
• Compensation will be commensurate with education level and experience, as detailed in the respective department's internship offerings. High school internships may be unpaid or paid, while college and graduate interns will receive hourly pay in accordance with the salary ordinance.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities. 

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty according to the requirements of the organization. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Town-related Competencies: To perform this job successfully, all employees working in the Town should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration - Gets along with and maintains positive relationships with coworkers. Is willing to help with all types of work, no matter how big or small the task. Asks for and listens to coworkers’ feedback; incorporates feedback into revised processes. Positively reinforces team members for their contributions and accomplishments. Admits mistakes when they occur, learns from them, and enables others to do the same. 
• Service to Citizens - Always represents the Town of Plainfield well; maintains personal accountability and ownership for customer service. Lets customers know that he/she is willing to work with them to meet their needs. Follows up to ensure that requests and concerns are resolved. Understands customer problems and needs; quickly and effectively solves customer problems. Does more than what is normally required to resolve customer concerns. 
• Professionalism - Demonstrates professionalism in appearance and actions. Maintains timely, personable, and effective communications with citizens and the general public, and local or intergovernmental contacts and neighboring community leaders. Demonstrates flexibility and a positive attitude when change occurs. Does not participate in conversations or actions that are disrespectful to others. Uses Town resources and assets wisely, efficiently, and according to Town policy. 
• Dependability - Attends work as scheduled; follows the attendance policy and informs his/her manager of absences in advance. Accepts assignments willingly and can be counted on to complete tasks on time. Completes tasks accurately and thoroughly, eliminating the need for close review. Timely follow-through on tasks and projects issued by the Department Head, Town Manager, or Town Council. Does what he/she commits to doing. 
• Interpersonal Communications - Communicates clearly, accurately, and respectfully with coworkers and customers. Keeps the Town Council well-informed of any incidents or issues; especially regarding offsite incidents. Keeps sensitive and confidential matters private. Listens to others and seeks to understand others’ perspectives. Willingly accepts feedback and incorporates it into work activities and interactions. 
• Job Knowledge and Work Habits - Takes pride in work and coworkers; performs work with a positive attitude that enables others to perform well. Is willing to ask questions when the job or task is not fully understood. Willingly participates in training to maintain or enhance current knowledge of principles, procedures, methods, and/or technology. Maintains an optimistic outlook when faced with difficulty or change and makes an effort to overcome obstacles. Retains the expected job knowledge; helps others by sharing knowledge.

Job-related Competencies – To perform this job successfully, employees in this job should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving –Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Oral Communication -Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.

Education and/or Experience: Must be currently enrolled as a high school, undergraduate or graduate student in high school or an accredited university pursing a with interests in public administration, business administration, planning, or related program of study. The successful candidate must have a strong interest in local government management.

Other Skills and Abilities: The following skills and abilities are either required or desired.

• Computer software skills required include: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe.
• A working knowledge of business administration, and personnel management and supervision is desired. 
• A comprehensive understanding of accounting principles and practices and report writing, while paying close attention to detail is desired.
• A strong ability to collect, compile, analyze, and interpret data is desired.
• A strong ability to effectively organize work and set priorities is desired.
• A comprehensive knowledge of report writing, while paying close attention to detail is desired.
• The ability to make sound and rational decisions including exercising independent judgment within established protocols and guidelines is desired.
• The ability to enforce rules and follow all established protocols and guidelines is required.
• The ability to operate a Town vehicle is required (excluding High School Interns).
• The ability to maintain and cultivate positive relationship with residents, vendors and other Town departments is required.
• The ability remain current with all required licenses, certifications and in-service requirements is required.
• The ability to operate a computer, printer, copy machine, scanner, fax machine, and other office equipment is required.
• The ability to speak, read and write in English is required. Spanish is desired.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Work Environment:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally is exposed to working near moving mechanical parts and the risk of electrical shock when working with office equipment and outdoor weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

While the offices of the Town of Plainfield offices are usually open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, this position may require work beyond these hours, on the weekends and on holidays. It also requires the ability to drive a Town vehicle. Thus, a valid driver’s license is required.

Salary : $18